The Biggest Sports Game Failure: EA SPORTS NHL

[@Perellzy]

Who’s ready for NHL 25? ⬇️

[@JackJohnson555]

Man playing NHL games have become such a grind, and not the good kind. The kind that makes you ask yourself : why are you wasting time with this unfun mess of a game.

[@Samurreye]

🖨

[@jari-mattilatvala5998]

Skill issued

[@dehavillandcanadatwinotter9621]

They really need to pay more attention to franchise/Be a Pro modes, the modes I actually enjoyed playing and want to see more and more changes to. I used to invest so much time trying to build the best no money spent HUT team I could in NHL 19 up to 22, but it just feels pointless at the end of the day, it requires so much time just to not be able to go that far thanks to people spending fortunes on packs and players, and it all resets with each yearly new release of the next game. So I pretty much gave up on that front.

[@40thzx6]

threes circut!

[@jace_albers]

Play nhl 2k11 trust me i play it on my phone my computer anywhere i can get it i despise ea nhl games but 2ks are amazing and have incredibly low system requirement load it on your laptop and enjoy

[@JBerlin71]

It feels like this years game punishes you for making creative plays… X factors gotta go they’re so broken

[@Perellzy]

Agreed. It definitely feels harder to make cool plays like you could even a couple of year ago, let alone on the old games

[@ryleyblakney1751]

Xfactors are the only way to make cards different other than height and weight. What's the difference between 2 cards if they are roughly the same height and weight like 6" 200 lbs

[@yourmother1631]

Funny all I do is creative plays and they seem to workout for me, X Factors seem to not work with an Above Average goalie, skill issue pal

[@Perellzy]

I agree to an extent but at the competitive level especially, if you look back at NHL 21, the passing was way faster/crispier. Xfactors definitely add variety but it rewards certain plays that shouldn’t/wouldn’t normally work if they didnt have an xfactor. Which IMO is cheese and adds to the rng of the game

[@rmay16]

@@ryleyblakney1751the difference would he how the individual in control of the player plays them. Just like how irl two guys of the same size will have different play styles

[@tylerbrooklyn4187]

As an offline player, my biggest complaint is the AI logic. The devs need to study hockey more and see how teams cycle the puck, breakout on PPs, and get in position for scoring chances. I’m so tired of taking a point shot when my ai teammates aren’t there to tip the puck or screen the goalie. And the times where I’m trying to look for a center pass in front of the net but my teammate is off to the side not in a scoring position has made me irate…

[@TheRealAT]

6v6 is by far the best way to play

[@centralhockey12]

I am so glad you commented this because I think this is one of the biggest problems with EA NHL today. My AI teammates are never in the right position anymore when it comes to cycling the puck. It’s not enjoyable at all

[@SimRacingVeteran]

The thing is, is that developers are coders not hockey fans. They’re given a task to do and they do it. For money.

[@jaspernordstrom3691]

And the PPs don't work in the game! It's doesn't look PP at all just regular 5v5 play

[@seikoshinohara3084]

Can be behind the net and 10/10 times there's no one to pass to in the slot or the crease and no one open at the circles for a one timer. All 4 AI players are standing in the corners or at the poing motionless not even trying to open up a passing lane. Queue wrap around goal number 10,000 for my player. 150 point seasons and 90 of those points are goals because the AI is useless. 2 on 1 breakaway? Pass it over to the AI and they shoot it at the literal back of the net after skating the puck behind the goal line.

[@tylerfortin3239]

The downfall started when they stopped using pre-game intros

[@supergoodtimes1]

also when they stopped releasing nhl on pc back in like 2007 lol

[@shhhhsecrethaha]

Facts

[@TheBeatMakersGuild]

@@supergoodtimes1 no nhl 12 was superior to every game before it just because of player development and drafting alone

[@megaplexXxHD]

Downfall started when they decided to release a new gme every year instead of delivering updates for yearly squad changes. Back in the days 2000-2010 i would totally understand to release a new game because there was huge jumps in technology and graphics etc. but noawadays its just not justifiable anymore

[@wolfjaeger7]

@@supergoodtimes1I think it was more like 2009 or 2010 but I agree on that

[@AlexBigShid]

I'd also throw in the egregious EA paid influencers like DontBeSaad20 who almost exclusively make cringe ass pack opening videos year after year. Then others like TacTix and Nasher who wouldn't dare say anything negative about the game.

[@willsmith1838]

I'll give credit to Nasher tho cause he straight up tells his audience to not spend money on packs. I believe he didn't even spend any money on HUT packs this year. Funny how quickly he moved on from those types of videos though.

[@tombradyshow1222]

Who? Hockeys irrelvent no one watches it or plays the games when you compare it to relvent sports

[@tombradyshow1222]

@AlexBigShid I didn't watch the video . Ncaa trailer just dropped a few hours ago and already has more views than any hockey video

[@seikoshinohara3084]

You're here yapping for no reason ​@@tombradyshow1222

[@seikoshinohara3084]

I know nasher is getting paid by sponsors but I genuinely like his positivity. I love Johhny superbman but his constant negativity gets grating at some point. Nasher feels like he's making the most out of a bad situation.

[@nathanpoppl4035]

the true problem is that EA has no competition on the grounds of hockey, when 2K was still around they challenged each other to produce the better game, want to force EA to actually make a new hockey game... then we need a challenger, and I'd also add that EA ruined NHL games long before 2014

[@shawnt5205]

no. 12-13-14 were masterpieces that got better. NHL14 is by far the best hockey game of all time

[@hurricane3033]

People need to come together and agree to stop buying the game. But it'll never happen

[@mayavenuemisfit814]

​@hurricane3033 well, if it's any consolation to you, I alone represent $60 extra they didn't make this year. I didn't buy the game and I have no plans to.

[@FreddieBear1]

Fact!! 100% same with FIFA before they "won the marked." Back in the day there was Winning Eleven/PES, This is Football and a few more. They made people in EA work harder. Old FIFA games has so much amazing content that got deleted in future games. I feel I've seen the same with NHL games. Good content gets deleted, next games has no growth. It just keeps the game the same size with replaced content. I have not bought a fifa game since 2015, but I have played the newer games at my friends house. I am so glad I've saved all that money to be honest. Last NHL game I bought was 2022. I only bought it because I wanted to test the IIHF world championship modes. It was cool, but I was mad when the game did not allow me to customize my own groups. Even NHL 11 has better customize options for a similar gamemode. All EA did was to add a logo, team kits and remove the playoff round (you played a final 16 instead of going directly to quarterfinals). Basicly they added glitter bullshit and avoided giving gamers customize/game/tournament format options. It is incredible how much detalis are lacking in a time with all this technology.

[@Matt92Machine]

I'm pretty sure 2K could make an NHL game if they wanted. I don't think EA has an exclusive contract with the NHL like they did with the NFL for years.

[@jberczi6]

It's not just NHL - Madden, 2K, FIFA, The show, etc. are all equally bad nowadays

[@Zach_Spoons]

Facts man. Sports games at an alltime low. Only NCAA can save us

[@chuckplaysgames7925]

Its a reskinned madden with a few new plays and sounds. Lets not pretend like its anything else​@@Zach_Spoons

[@adamg59]

Nhl is so far behind fifa so we know where is all the money

[@ackyducc5040]

​@@Zach_SpoonsThe new NCAA game is the first sports game I've played in years that feels like it has actual care put into it, and I wonder how long that's going to really last before it goes the way of Madden

[@Zach_Spoons]

@@ackyducc5040 I agree but they def need to fix tackling bc that’s broken for sure. Other than that game is amazing

[@FrogmanFNG]

I’m so glad that everyone seems to agree it was 14. It was still that perfect mix of arcade and simulation.

[@therealten8090]

2014? The last time 2k had there hands on it? EA snatched it up in 2015 and u could feel the company had started gutting. And tbh I’ve played the 2k NBA and I’m not impressed so it’s hard to say if the current NHL’s would be any better if 2k had kept it

[@FrogmanFNG]

@@therealten8090 ea nhl 14 is what I was referring to. It was the best.

[@therealten8090]

@@FrogmanFNG 💯 agree. It’s been a decade and I just want connected franchise back.

[@TheBeatMakersGuild]

star system was garbage compared to the letter system for potential in nhl 12

[@Extasei]

Actually 15 on 360/ps3 was better, it was the same game with better tuning and I beleive there was a dump glytch in offensive zone that was patched for 15. I guess peoples refer to 14 first because it's essentially the same game and to avoid any confusion with the next gen NHL15 atrocity.

[@flpndrox]

NHL 98 was the goat. Im still chasing that high decades later.

[@KenKaniff-dw4jw]

Nhl 14 on ps3 is damn good

[@ZacharyDarkes]

Be a Pro and Franchise mode are only two game modes that I play and both are completely boring. Be a Pro is completely unplayable with the cutscenes mid game completely breaks the immersion and what kind of fun there is.

[@Samlevine111]

I bet you paid 80$ . So funny

[@ZacharyDarkes]

@@Samlevine111 I didn't pay jack, I played the trial and that's all I needed to try.

[@Samlevine111]

@@ZacharyDarkes who is jack ? Is this a term from you dmb North Americans ? I don’t get it

[@cc-fl4hy]

@@Samlevine111you are a clown

[@AveragePostnordHater]

Yes and you cant even start your be a pro career from Europe. The CHL playoffs don't count

[@TBEMike]

EA having a monopoly on sports games is criminal

[@coltonwilkie241]

Thankfully that looks like it might be ending. Hopefully. Fifa already made a deal with 2K so now EA has to step up their soccer games because there's real competition now. Hopefully the NFL and NHL start looking for new partnerships too.

[@Oxmen33]

These aren't sports games anymore, these are casino simulators disguised as a hockey game. Been playing Franchise hockey manager 9 for PC lately, the amount of depth in it compared to EA makes me not even care if there is minimal on-ice gameplay. I'll take simulation over whatever EA is pooping out.

[@hurricane3033]

The core of the problem with every NHL game is the gameplay... if the gameplay is good ill play the game simply because I love hockey. But when the countless issues with gameplay are never ever ever fixed, and then they add in new stupid shit like x factors and zone pressure with a gigantic eyesore in the middle of the screen that i cant make go away, its just awful

[@dannypellegrini9003]

I agree with you. Stupid circle in the middle of the zone. It's also so unrealistic and boring. EA sports is falling apart

[@Extasei]

My biggest grip is how they moved protect puck on L3 + right stick. EVERY time you hustle now, you are forced in protect puck and you can't just stick handles like it has ever been before. I absolutely hate it. and the protect puck animation look really awkward, particularly when you switch hand or drop a pass. Just unnacceptable that they screwed up with the controls...just like the forced reverse hit on the R3 for the total controls. BTW, you should add to your list the new dump. It's so ridiculously weak..is there still a point in using it?.

[@jerryrikki9466]

The gameplay in this year's game was shockingly bad

[@BobbyWithDaMoney]

The gameplay is the worst part imo. When the gameplay is bad there is really no point in playing. Every goalie in the game is equally bad. Every thing else with the gameplay is just inconsistent. You don’t know if you are gonna get good bot teammates or bad ones. Some games your opponent will try and some games they won’t. I only play against computer btw because playing online is not fun.

[@jerryrikki9466]

@@BobbyWithDaMoney that's a great point. Imagination can make up for lack of features at times but when the gameplay is broken people stop playing

[@jackdobrowolsky8375]

The issue is they have no idea what a nhl game is actually like.

[@EDDYEAGLE]

It’s Indians making the game. And they don’t work with any NHL players at all.

[@honssso1385]

exactly

[@mertletheturtle8283]

NHL hitz was my favorite got a NHL game for ps4 and never got another one

[@jimunit333]

They do they just dont care

[@aaronwhite1786]

Oh they do. They aren't making some NHL game like they do because they don't know what the NHL is like. They are making a game because they only care about one thing: The Ultimate Team game mode. All of the changes and additions are meant to appeal to the younger audience who is willing to keep spending on their ultimate team and loves the stuff like hot pink visors, neon green skate holders and the big hits. They stopped caring about stuff like the offline GM mode probably a decade ago, which is about when I stopped buying it.

[@EndoranceM]

The real start of the downfall for the NHL series was when EA Vancouver got the UFC licence. They ended up splitting the NHL dev team in half right around 2012/2013, assigning those guys to UFC development. The reason why 12/13/14 on 360/PS3 was great was mostly due to the foundation being set. Not much had to change, and more people were focusing on trying to figure out the ignite engine. It's insane to see what's taking almost a decade for NHL to get anywhere close to what they used to push as an annually released product, with a small developmenty team as well. Not to mention how presentation for GWC this year was absolutely terrible. Great video, just scratches the surface as to what has been going on with the rocky development over the past decade.

[@Perellzy]

For sure, I definitely could’ve gone more in depth, which i might do in the future, but I just wanted to give some general insight

[@NewDesignVinylGraphics]

And they're terrible at making UFC games now too. Haven't been good since UFC 2

[@EndoranceM]

@@NewDesignVinylGraphics that's what happens when you have half the development team and resources. They're basically the size of a indie development team

[@aftershock4253]

​@@EndoranceMA third of the team. Cause it's split between UFC/NHL/FC

[@EndoranceM]

@@aftershock4253 the EAFC team has it's own entire wing of EA Burnaby. The EANHL/ UFC development studios are in the same office space.

[@bostondangler134]

Great video. Ive coined the last 2 nhl games the “worst gaming experience” on the planet. The RNG has trounced all logic and the skill gap continually shrinks, making the overall experience a nightmare fr.

[@liamcrothers8896]

ALL sports game franchises suck. The mid 2010s made Ultimate Team the prominent game mode, and money matters more than opinions. EA, 2K, and SDS have monopolies on sports games that the leagues are complicit in because they want to have "the official game of ___". The past decade has done irreversible damage to this market, competition is the only way to get things moving in a positive direction for the consumer.

[@MadSpeed261]

Only EA can make a football game with the NFL. They canceled their NBA Live game because EA where pussyfooting around, and I don't hear about the NBA giving 2K the rights, nor MLB giving SDS the rights either. Any gaming company can make a sports game, if they can ask for permission. Can't do that to the NFL only.

[@brycemason8464]

Idk man SDS isn’t that micro transaction heavy like yeah I get people wanna mainly play DD but I had a full diamond squad within less than 2 hours of playing ranked not even touching programs or nothing, I think the show does a great job at it I wish EA NHL would take some of their queues from DD, way less pay to win than HUT if at all, everything in the show is easily grindable

[@mayavenuemisfit814]

There's a difference. The Show games are actually fairly decent and playable.

[@ggqbc]

Gaming sucks in general pretty much since games started having in game purchases. Only playable games have a 1 player offline story mode now

[@paultorpedo6378]

I won the regional champs in 2010 for nhl 10, got flown to NYC for global finals. I LOVED this game, it was the only game I played as a hockey nut. I haven't played since 2017. I tried 21 hoping for a good game but refunded in under 24 hours. HUT and stat driven game play RUINED it all. Even EASHL is stat driven now. They turned it from a skill game to a grind and spend game. Sports and Competition IS NOT about spend levels, it is about ability. Until that balance is fixed, I will never play again.

[@jollyroger6135]

First off great video! Secondly, it’s not just the NHL series and it’s not just EA. People are bashing MLB The Show from SDS for the exact same reason. People play these games because they are fans of the sport who want realism. There needs to be more focus on franchise modes and gameplay

[@3rdlineplug]

Ultimate team ruined sports games.

[@Bedard_fx]

fr

[@ultronrising8424]

100% fax

[@kamalporter706]

No lies told

[@wittybanter96]

To an extent. I think you're grossly oversimplifying some of it

[@NauZeatedDJ]

i think ultimate team is a cool concept, but microtransactions ruined games in general

[@meatmanmagoo]

One of the major problems for me is the video game not really being able to emulate an actual game, stuff happens in games that just can't really be included in a way that makes sense. Goalies for example with their kryptonite being a simple backhand forehand off the rush, their reaching back animation batting pucks in rather than scooping them away, its just frusterating when the last line of defense plays like a beer leaguer even if they are like 99overall.

[@jondrover2857]

I'm 48, I bought nhl94 on release day for super nes. It was all bound to go downhill once you could play someone you couldn't punch for being a dick.

[@Phatboino1]

That's why I loved nhl 94 on the megadrive..... Getting into a scrap and being put in the bin for it was all part of the game

[@seikoshinohara3084]

I'm a woman and I'm actually so annoyed that I can't fight as a female character. Like I can get hit so hard that I snap my neck from six feet in the air but I can't try to square up with Tom Wilson? Come on, LET ME get KO'd if I want to, give me a chance.

[@tonybleau6219]

​@seikoshinohara3084 Exactly. Why even limit women from fighting in a VIDEO GAME haha it's so ridiculous. It's like they're scared it'll hurt their image because they think people will be offended by it.

[@seikoshinohara3084]

@tonybleau6219 right lol but I guess my 16 year old girl playing in the European league against 35 year old men and getting cross checked in the teeth is totally fine by EA standards

[@gilly7038]

The culture, UI and gameplay of 09-14 will never be topped

[@williamthefloridano]

It was bad when each year was a copy-paste version of each other just with new unis, but NHL 24 made the game almost unplayable. In the attempt to create a flashier playstyle, they ended up destroying the controls and gameplay. Rushing the net results in a goalie interference penalty 1000% of the time; hits are awkward as hell, when just a couple years ago they were fluid and fun; every minor incidental contact throws you completely off the puck and ends the play. It was a nightly ritual to kill a couple games in BAP before turning in, but now I might play a few games each month.

[@rossrobertson674]

Why would u play Be A Pro when u could play Chel online with other people

[@TadashiNazuka]

Online gaming Destroyed the video game industry. Period.

[@kakarroto007]

EA NHL's downfall was when they stopped releasing the game on PC.

[@jui6i137]

And I wanna that back

[@TheBeatMakersGuild]

nope it was after nhl 12 nhl was better than every game before it i cant have fun in franchise mode if i cant rebuild through the draft and have decent player development nhl 12 is by far the best nhl game just because of franchise mode

[@islicenr1]

Not only that, the last version (09) they released was an ultra rush job that was missing all flare. Went from having team logos in the in-game scores to a plain box with white text. Looked like someones first CSS project. Slapped us on the way out.

[@kakarroto007]

@@islicenr1 Electronic Arts has become a real $h!+ company overall, at least since the 90's. The last EA game I actually bought was MLB '06 the show on PS3, which was a steaming pile of dog excrement, replete with gimmicky motion controls that made the game objectively worse. Not that I wanted to play their NHL series on PC, but I did kinda lament it's absence for a minute, during the pandemic lock down.

[@Seducier]

I agree.

[@mikeflows]

Killer Video!!! Great historical breakdown with just the facts!

[@JoYoBro]

Great video, haven't played a nhl game since nhl 13 on the 360. Swapped over to pc and realized their last pc port was nhl 09. Sucks there's no pc port yet for any of the recent nhl games and I doubt EA will do anything about it.

[@BenAnkenmann]

Lack of PC is shocking to me. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

[@am1xedguy178]

The only thing i want back is the zamboni mini game in between periods like in NHL2k10. Underrated game mode

[@Perellzy]

Fr NHL 2k10 was my favorite 2k game ever

[@TheBeatMakersGuild]

thats not bringing something back are u dumb 2k doesnt make the game

[@JD200_]

2k9 had it too

[@humanversion3163]

I know it’s not a popular take, but I really miss Drop-in games from ‘14. You didn’t need packs and bs to play with other players just looking to have a bit of fun and try to smash the short speedster with the tinted visor :P

[@Legeden]

the fact that they don't to PC when FIFA can is the worst thing and the reason why I didn't play NHL game for years

[@RogueStatusQVX]

The soul of the sport is gone. Playing franchise mode- theres settings i have to do every single game because you cant save them, theres no imtro when you start a game, theres 1, most likely shitty goal replay. You just lose the feeling of hockey completely. It sucks

[@Danglechuk]

This is straight facts! Love this video! Great job!

[@user-mi7nw5kt4w]

I'm mainly an eashl player (been playing since 09) and for me it's how they've been trying to lower the skill gap every year. Adding x factors that basically play the game for you, poke checking slowing you down, random penalties, etc. I know the game has a massive skill gap and that's bad for casuals and new players but it's a sports game, it's supposed to be competitive.

[@CEE80]

NHL doesn’t really have a skill gap especially with the new controls- it’s more of a knowledge gap and unfortunately if you have Hockey I.Q. you can’t really play how you’re supposed to.

[@user-mi7nw5kt4w]

@@CEE80 nhl used to have a huge skill gap then they started nerfing defense and adding bullshit like x factors that basically play the game for you. One button skill moves don't really make a difference, they're just flashier ways to score. Most good players don't even use them.

[@agirotto1]

If they just made NHL '94 with yearly roster updates, I'd be happy enough.

[@riku8799]

NHL 98's intro was iconic man. First sports game I ever played. I sometimes wish I was 9 years old again.

[@TheRealTcgGuy]

The thing that pisses me off the most, is that I can't play an nhl game on pc.

[@alexoberfranc]

I would also love to see it come back to pc, but sadly I don’t think that’ll ever happen

[@BenAnkenmann]

NHL95 was my favourite game as a kid on PC. I've never had a console, only played PC games (and still do). The fact that there is no good PC NHL game is still shocking to me. I would still play NHL95 if there was a way to buy it today!

[@Dani27289]

I remember my first game was NHL 2K9 on the original Wii and that game absolutely shits on the modern EA NHL games

[@spectra_3005]

2k was always SO much better than the EA Sports titles. I played 2k6 - 2k12 and loved it. Never felt the same on the EA games.

[@Errorman0001]

Been playing every EA NHL game since 97. It just absolutely sickens me that they have the gall to charge 69,99 every year for a copy/paste. Something that has bothered me a loooong time and I think is not too much ask for is to give a little more authenticity to other leagues except NHL and I've always thought the things we could do with a PC release...

[@JayNoVax1]

Nhl 2k was the greatest to do it. Better commentstors and gameplay. Sucks that ea sports is the only developer. I haven't bought a game since '17. Sega needs to make games again.

[@jeremyjohnsonfitness]

facts nhl 2k11 was the best

[@ICEMAN595]

I miss the teams goal songs (zombie nation in particular). It added to the immersion

[@Esper320]

GM Connected was so good, and Be A Gm in general was great. NHL14 definitely felt like a high water mark

[@wolfjaeger7]

I’ve only seen the first 10 seconds of the vid and you summed up already a big part of my childhood. The similarities are awesome

[@juuso2248]

I remember playing NHL 95, 02, 06,07...so damn good

[@AdamRedmann]

I spent so many hours of my life playing this game. So many great stories involving it. It’s how I Became good friends with Rocco Grimaldi after a 3 hour long best of 7 series that went the distance in the dorms my freshman year of college. Another time shutting up a couple loud mouth frat guys that were bragging about their online versus rank at a party with a 5-1 first period then having beers together. Tons of more stories like this - The NHL franchise has the opportunity to be the greatest sports game out there because players need - actual hockey knowledge, real skill, timing, and creativity with the puck on your stick, strategy, vision, discipline, taking the right angles and positioning, execution, and finally some puck luck - a game of chess with the pieces flowing in motion over the board. It’s the only sports game that has the potential that is impressive to be one the best at. The focus of the franchise being HUT with all these 99 overalls flying around taking away from the integrity of the game broke my heart

[@BacoTubo]

NHL 24 is the end for me. Hated just about every aspect of the game. It's hilarious when I see people defend it saying it's more realistic. I play hockey. It's not. It's the furthest thing from real hockey that we've had. 21 was the last realistic hockey game. It still sucked, but it was leagues better than what they've put out since the frostbite switch.

[@mikes7446]

I just said the same. I didn’t buy mlb24 so I think ima pass on NHL25. It’s gonna suck even more than 24. Same ol boring ps3 graphics for a ps5 console. Not to mention all the bugs and glitches nhl24 has.

[@AManWithManyLives]

It’s hilarious you think anyone gives af that you played hockey and that you think it makes your opinion any more valid. I’m literally laughing my a55 off at you.

[@GiggingwithTheGoon]

Same thing with me and FC 24. I played from 4yo to well into my 20s. Got my college scholarship playing soccer. It was my life for decades. FC 24 is not soccer/football. It may be a sports game, but not a sport I'm familiar with. The pixels do not move or act like human beings would act. Not even players, just humans. I paid for it, downloaded it, played about 4 mins of the intro practice mode and was done. The entire thing is centered around gambling to children and has absolutely nothing to do with a competitive base or sporting games. I cannot in good conscience give EA a single dime from here on out. There's too many companies that aren't staffed with ghoulish trash bag human beings. Fvck em.

[@Tomn8er]

My biggest complaint is that if you want to play these games online, you basically are forced to buy the current year version or you'll have literally 10 people to match against on social versus. (Never messed with HUT or any of these stupid pay-to-win modes).

[@Fenrirmaster30]

ESPN NHL Hockey 2K4 was the peak NHL game!

[@radmarchand4751]

NHL 24 is literally the worst hockey game I’ve ever played. It made my friends and I who have played every year since NHL 12 stop playing.

[@PROPERNATOR]

great video, rip nhl :

[@Perellzy]

Shits dying before our eyes 😪

[@jacob_peterson]

Similar story. Easily played thousands of hours of NHL 2000 - NHL 14. Game is just flat out bad now. It is 100x more frustrating to play than it is fun.

[@ryanhowiefelthersnatch4073]

The new controls are the devs trying to eliminate any skill gap. They will spend months arguing in a public forum and defending this years game, but privately in private messages conceding it’s a disaster. One button michigans and hip checks ???? Stooopid. People who play min height and weight we’re complaining about getting hit too much…. So they all but eliminated body checking unless your willing to learn new controls after decades. Betrayal of their core audience

[@ZOIMIBiIE]

The Wayne Gretzky 64 game was a banger I also think it’s sad that the NHl Arcade 3v3 thing was one of the most fun multiplayer hockey experiences I’ve ever had. It was like a comical, intense hockey version of old school NFL Blitz

[@Doppps]

Not to mention, the average person just wants to play with their friends or brother at home. Online is trash. Pay for teams is trash. Best games for 1991-1995. The Internet and greed ruined everything. Multiplayer offline franchise is where it needs to go back to.

[@HoaxNA]

Great video . NHL hitz came out the year I was born and that’s one of my favorite games ever . Would love to see someone (doesn’t need to be EA and probably won’t be) make a good hockey game, doesn’t even have to be NHL players hell a college hockey game would be game breaking

[@ChrisCash720]

Nhl 01 is peak. I despise the over complicated mess of nhl games now. I just want to hit A to pass Y to special B to spin and X to shoot.

[@wyattmack9071]

I’ve never understood why you can’t even hit anymore

[@Perellzy]

The hitting is so weird now, and your profile picture is elite 🤣 big up tactix

[@wyattmack9071]

@@Perellzy I literally can’t even lay a hit anymore it doesn’t let me, the whole game is like playing with the women’s teams. Also thanks 😂 we love tactix

[@Perellzy]

Nah fr though it’s definitely inconsistent

[@brandonmcfellin6773]

They also changed the way you hit, protect puck. Etc. they seem to be going downhill, and fast.

[@taysinturhatapaus1853]

I remember playing nhl 12 and nhl13 with my friends with xbox360 and the thought of buying new console over the years just to play new nhl games have been removed from my head thanks to this video 😄

[@DjFIL007]

Over 15 years since the last PC release. Beyond once or twice grabbing a free month trial of Xbox Gamepass and trying it on my aging Xbox One, I've not properly owned a EA NHL game since that last PC release. But when I revisit a NHL game, it's either EA NHL 94 (one of the modded ones with updated rosters) or 2K's NHL 2K5.

[@SoggySyrup8713]

I remember for my 10th bday I got nhl 15 I was so excited and at the time it was so fun I regret stop playing nhl 14 but I did have some fun memories

[@ShoGunGrebby]

NHL '14 was the last title I bought in the NHL series... everything else has been a back alley abortion with a broken glass bottle and a rusty fishhook... Hot garbage ever since, which is a damn shame, because the games were fun to play, and didnt have all the micro-transactions.

[@leerotten]

Microtransactions quite literally ended me playing any mobile, computer or console games but it was already in a decline before that. Over complicated controls for simple activities that once upon a time could be done entertainigly and playably with 6-7 controls including the directional four were tossed out of the window for useless animations and so fotth. Lithanies of which games / genres were ruined this way is just way too extensive for me to begin writing here. Gaming industry can promote and advertise as much as they wish but with exception of few modern classics they lost my money a long time ago.

[@5ch3nk]

I was done with consoles (besides Nintendo) after my 3rd Xbox 360 got a RROD. After that I switched back to PC....haven't got to play NHL since then and it's something I want to play daily still over a decade later. I've been on the verge of buying a PS4 for years just to play NHL, but it's not worth it for one game. EA Sports shot themselves in the foot with the franchise and they blame the fans for not being there to support it.

[@Perellzy]

I’d definitely wait to play till its on PC. The whole thing is just a mess rn in my opinion

[@mayavenuemisfit814]

I wouldn't waste my money on either a PS4 or the NHL game.

[@TheBeatMakersGuild]

nintendo is garbage lol u support a garbage company that gives u outdated consoles

[@alexparker3277]

Nice vid. Spot on for so many points. One I'll add is the utter lack of development of the CPU AI players. FOR YEARS they go to the same spots on the ice that make no sense that you never see in real hockey.

[@larswarrior1902]

I would love a nice NHL game on PC again. Would spend 80$ just to be able to play some Ice Hockey. I wish some Dev Team would come up with a new take on the whole Sport Game (sim) situation.

[@philchurch27]

Valid video. I fell in love with Nhl 2002 on PC as a kid, played 07 on PS2, and had 14 on the 360… sigh.

[@sergeantjinkies]

RIP NHL

[@rocky_hockey6447]

NHL 14 was far from the perfect game, but it is in fact the best hockey game we ever had. I feel like the game was heading in the right direction at that time. They just added gm connected and the winter classic, EASHL was pretty new and at his peak with the player built that most preferred, GM mode was adding new features every year and just small details that everyone liked, Be a pro just added the live the life feature and the soundtracks was just way better. Basically every mode was upgraded for the better, which you really can't say nowadays. It seems like most modes are not touched at all or changed for the worst year after year. Even HUT was in my opinion better at the time. And gameplay wise it was BY FAR the best gameplay we ever had in any NHL games. The game was just so smooth and more fun to play. The AI was the only really big issue with the game at that time from what I can remember. I believe that by continuing to build the game from NHL 14 we would have a really solid game by today. Basically the only good thing they added since is better graphics, roster sharing, the IIHF licence and custom leagues in my opinion. You add those to NHL 14 game along with 10 years of upgrading and tweaking the game and you have one hell of a game.

[@faust5398]

Anyone who plays ultimate team on nba or nhl even fifa is the problem why micro transactions are prevalent

[@Perellzy]

Just how games are nowadays

[@jpeters1734]

@@Perellzy nah, just how you choose to play them

[@GiggingwithTheGoon]

Victim blaming. How very droll.

[@duzzzz94]

My first (and favorite because of that) was NHL 06. I never bought a PS4 so the NHL 16 was the last one I was able to play. It was much better before micro transactions when you bought the game and played for the year. Now it is like buy the game every year and keep spending if you want to be relevant in the game. Also, I grew up soo...

[@Peezyxo]

Need a different studio to produce the next NHL

[@McSomething15]

Need a new publisher that isn't awful.

[@TheBeatMakersGuild]

are u dumb u think u have control nobody else wants to itd be so risky the market is so small and if they were to be a better game their would be no microtransactions which just means the market for $ to be made is even smaller for a good nhl game than it is for a bad one and the market ea has is small as it is

[@TheBigDaddyJay224]

I agree with you. I loved EA NHL 2014. I have purchased EA NHL 21- 24. There are differences in play between them. HUT is not for me. I am not spending my hard earned money on virtual hockey cards. With the games being very much alike, I would hope they would have fixed the glitches that happen during game play.

[@kodapumpkin6615]

WHAT. THE. FUCK? It makes me so fucking mad not knowing why they’ve decided to go SO MEDIOCRE. PLEASE EA JUST SELL THE TITLE. Can we please start a #boycottEA for fucks sake?

[@SupaBuma]

During the PS2 days, either NHL '98 or '99, I'd always loved pulling off what I called the "Hate-Trick". Basically, once the whistle blew and play ended, you have to try and knock down three opposing players to the ice. Totally fun when playing against a friend.

[@jaycob1830]

The ONLY thing I have enjoyed in sports games lately is 2K's Eras Mode, other than that there has been nothing. Its literally the only thing I do on 2k, because I like to change history and sim all the years and all that. I wish NHL could do something like this, or Madden or whatever else. EA needs to greatly study how a NHL game is actually played, the A.I doesnt work right at all and it just plain stupid, we need a competitor in the market.

[@mayavenuemisfit814]

EA ruins everything they touch. Look at Madden, for example. They took an iconic NFL franchise and ran it into the ground. And now they've done the exact same thing with the NHL series. Instead of actually making a playable, realistic game with actual hockey situations and gameplay and good AI, they waste money and resources on worthless crap like HUT and "World of CHEL", and paying celebrities like Snoop Dogg to do guest commentary in the game. Which is fine, because I'm a big Snoop fan and he's a big hockey fan. However, maybe addressing the endless glaring problems with the game would be the first and most logical route to go before adding money grab "extras".

[@CivicYt]

I remember when people PRAISED EA for taking away features and started to only focus on online modes. I felt like I were the only one who liked an authentic hockey experience. I really hate the way some people don't think one more step ahead. It's like the NHL irl now starting having advertising on jerseys and helmets. Most people say it's fine "as long as it's only one ad". Then fast forward five years, ads could be everywhere one day.

[@The_Architekt]

A game’s soundtrack is on the bottom of my list of priorities

[@michaellee8815]

I still to this day play NHL 2000 on PC. It’s my favorite game. I set up a separate tower with windows XP just to play it

[@kyledodson2992]

If I ever become president… I’m putting EA games on war crime charges for what they did to sports games.

[@TheNYCGoldenGlover]

I played religiously from '93 till 2016. The game was intuitive, fast and after the "SKILL STICK" really felt like it required talent After 2015 when they got rid of custom player stats for OTP i was largely done. When they started adding trick buttons taking away from the passing and one timer lanes i was done

[@misakikoko4500]

I think the last time I enjoyed playing the EA Sports games was around the 07-09 versions. In NHL, I loved it when they added being able to control the stick positioning with the right analog stick. Shortly after that, the gameplay with checking, puck control and passing went to unfun. It was around the same time when the NCAA and Madden went downhill as well. For them, it was remapping the controls to add the hit stick, replacing the "big hit button".

[@cobrakaiX]

NHL 12 was the last good entry in the series. It’s all about gameplay and that one felt great. Now it feels like everything is floating, there’s no weight to it. There’s a video game void for just a solid , FUN, hockey game. I miss simpler controls and it would be nice to see a new art direction. I loved little touches in the 90s EA games like the blue tinged ice. It sucks that EA has a lock on the NHL and NHLPA licenses.

[@loganj710]

I think the biggest problem is the ice tilt (rigging the game). It’s genuinely ruined the game. I really just don’t understand the point in which EA would rig the games and have the audacity to deny it, then just call it the ice tilt. The worst part it there’s no break from it, it’s in every single mode, and I find it the worst in WOC (obviously), BAP (I play BAP for the trophies, and it’s not hard to tell they want players to stretch out gameplay as much as possible by making the game long and hard), HUT (because if you aren’t spending money, you aren’t winning), and of course in the rest of the online modes, but I don’t pay much attention to those. I’m hoping that 25 is when they decide to really wake up and make a good hockey game.

[@NotTheWheel]

The thing about those microtransactions that piss me off is I'm a simmer guy. I like sports games more to see what historic teams can do in matchups. I know people don't like current NBA 2k games but to me at least I can set up historic teams or franchise modes. I haven't played a Madden game since 05 but I played 21 I think it was - so disappointed no historical teams.

[@3k461]

Proud to say I have never made an in-game purchase on chel

[@mramaretto114]

Fox sports, NHL Championship 2000 will forever be my favourite hockey game, the soundtrack, the video in the beginning, commentators that game just had the vibe, so many battles against my brothers growing up on that,

[@1wordsnst27sdkai]

Only play sports games Took 3 years off NHL Bought NHL 24 and was just confused by the product. It’s lazy, uninspiring and awful.

[@SportsPlug-cp1eq]

I went back to 23 for a few reasons (stupid hip checks) it feels more balanced and fun against the AI. I also fire up 18 sometimes since that's the last version on the previous engine, there's some stuff that do way better then than they do now

[@whisperienced]

Last one I played was nhl 16. Can't imagine gameplay has changed.

[@bartholomewesperanza3442]

No, it changed. it got much worse

[@ericbancker6963]

God NHL Powerplay 98, takes me back to spending weekends at my dad’s as a kid and staying up all night playing that game. It’s sad this is what the NHL series has become. I went from buying them every year to just never touching them anymore. The 360 days of NHL were spent online constantly, on game battles with my friends. It’ll never be the same

[@steveb9713]

Thanks for voicing what everyone’s thinking, they need a change like the thrashers going to Winnipeg

[@TheBeatMakersGuild]

winnipeg is a bottom 5 team in terms of revenue their not a success the owner still hasn't see a profit from their initial investment . winnipeg is barely breaking even

[@steveb9713]

@@TheBeatMakersGuild the franchise is easily worth double than when it was bought, the owners doing just fine

[@TheBeatMakersGuild]

@@steveb9713 inflation is a thing how much of that is inflation.. of a course a franchise will be worth more after 13 years every nhl franchise is

[@TheBeatMakersGuild]

the amount of profit they make yearly is not that good they havent even made half a bill

[@TheBeatMakersGuild]

@@steveb9713 the amount of profit they make yearly is not that good they havent even made half a bill

[@Willystyles88]

They need to focus on Franchise mode next game. Especially salaries

[@Zelwak]

Man, you made me want to play NHL 14 so bad!! I am sick of absolutely reatrded AI defenders, absurd own goals, glitch golas, fckrs who just skate to the blue line, flicks it for insane redirection and score everytime...if NHL 25 is the same sht as this year, I will preferre playing 14 insted.. :D

[@Dear-_-Agony]

Very good video! Disappointed to hear no mention of the server browser going away in NHL 13 or 14. To me, that is when it all went downhill. Then, to have heard the addition of a battle pass in the most iteration.... Of a hockey video game, that was it for me officially. They are creatively bankrupt.

[@Perellzy]

Yea it sucks the servers have to go down on older games but that’s just how it is now :( and yea battle passes are a mistake for sports games

[@Dear-_-Agony]

@@Perellzy sorry may have been a misunderstanding. I'm referring to the server browser where you could choose which lobby you wanted to join online.. Instead of this skill based matchmaking crap where it can't even find a match for you. The ol' server browser days, you could see every live lobby, the players in it, ping etc.. and join at YOUR leisure!

[@Perellzy]

Oh yea that’s true, definitely sucks all games have switched to that with dedicated servers now